Escitalopram and Depression: What Users Say

• Flg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 22, 2020

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "I started taking Lexapro 6 months ago at a 10mg dosage. The first few weeks, I was extremely sleepy and still depressed but slightly better. I knew it would get worse before it got better (I read lots of reviews) but slowly but surely, it started to work. I am exercising again and more social. I am in menopause and suffer from PTSD, and anyone who has suffered does not want that dark feeling again. After 5 months, my Dr. upped my dosage to 20 mg, and it has helped even more. This dosage lasts all day, and I just feel like my old self again. Be patient, Lexapro gave me my life back."

• Tom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2025

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "I am 73 and have been taking 10 mg of Lexapro for 18 months. It has been a game changer in my life. I wouldn’t stop taking it for a million bucks. I wish I had started taking it years ago. It has helped so much with my anxiety and minor depression. I thought everyone felt like me, so I refused to face up to my mental problems, and I also didn’t want to “take pills.” My own mental condition fought against taking the drug. Boy, was I wrong! I actually tried it out of desperation and after reading many reviews. Two to three weeks after starting Lexapro, I was feeling much better. At two months, symptoms of anxiety and depression lifted. I now have a happy retirement, sleep better, and laugh more, thanks to Lexapro."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2020

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "Was feeling terrible anxiety, it got really bad. I couldn’t stay asleep, was forgetting stuff, couldn’t concentrate, was losing my appetite and losing weight. I didn’t know what was wrong, so I went to the doctor for anxiety. She gave me Xanax, then I asked her to put me on something with it, and she gave me Lexapro 10mg. The first week was holy moly as it made the anxiety 10 times worse and I got depressed too. I read these posts, and they said to stick with it, as it gets better. It’s super slow, and I’m on week 7, and finally, I feel a lot better. It’s working, feel almost normal, and pretty much no more Xanax as I don’t need it. So anyway, it does take a lot of time, just stick it out."

• Tri...
• January 26, 2021

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "Omg, Lexapro has seriously saved my life. I had tried Effexor before it, and the side effects were so bad that I had a mini seizure. I was so afraid to try another drug that I almost didn't take the Lexapro. I'm so glad I did though. I have never felt this free of anxiety. I used to get literally paralyzing panic attacks and endless days of crying over anxiety sparked by freakin' nothing. I can live my life now, and I feel so inspired to be creative again. I will never go back. Don't get me wrong, I still have anxiety at times, but it doesn't just sit all day with me or trigger depression anymore."

• Joh...
• August 29, 2021

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "Like all of you, I read every review on the drugs I have been prescribed. It helps on those really bad days to hear someone has been helped. I was put on Lexapro 20 years ago after a run of deaths in my family and on the fire department. My doctor explained it like this: you have a natural immunity to bad events, but if you experience too many too quickly, you may not be able to return to normal by yourself. After 20 years, I began to feel emotionally numb. I weaned myself off Lexapro 20mg, thinking I could deal with things myself. Then COVID hit, and a run of bad life events again. After the worst year and a half of trying different antidepressants, I'm back on Lexapro. It's only been a week and a half, but already I feel slightly better. Taking a medicine to improve your life experience is not a weakness, we are only here for a short time, try to enjoy it as much as possible."

• Bow...
• January 12, 2015

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "I was tired all the time. Everything stressed me out. I was very negative. I found fault in most things. I was irritable most of the time. My thoughts raced with negativity most of the time. I withdrew socially a lot because other people upset me most of the time. I lacked compassion for other people most of the time. I felt like life was worthless. Lots of trouble concentrating at work. Trouble sleeping. More depressed in winter time. These problems progressively got worse as I got older. The doctor gave me Lexapro. I noticed some changes the 1st day I took the medicines but it took a little over 4 months to take its full effect on me. I'm almost exactly opposite of who I used to be now. Lexapro changed my life."

• Mii...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "The first couple of weeks I had nausea but it went away! I had anxiety & depression. I’ve been taking for about 4-5 months. This pill has changed my life. I get excited about a sunny day. I have for the first time in 6 years made new friends and the color is back in the world for me. I used to be very underweight like 40kg and hated food, to gaining 10kg in 4 months and enjoying food & loving my body. After a couple of months on this pill, I just noticed “hey I don’t cry at the bottom of the shower anymore”. Things are better. I hope this helps someone out there."

• Kma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2021

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I promised I would come here & write a review if I experienced any form of relief on Lexapro. When at my absolute rock bottom, I would spend hours reading reviews begging & pleading for any semblance of hope during such a horrifically dark time. I was POSITIVE with every fiber of my being that it wouldn’t work for me & that I would be a shell of myself - anxious, panicky with doom dread & hopelessness forever. I was certain of it. The first 4 weeks were absolutely brutal. I held on by a thread as my body adjusted to the medication. I had morning dread, nausea, zero appetite, anxiety, hopelessness + more. I started feeling relief at 4 weeks almost exactly. I had to use lorazepam to sleep during this time and am weaning slowly off now, but at 8 weeks on Lexapro I feel 10000x better. I cope now. I get through the day with little to no anxiety, and little to no depression. It took around 6 weeks to get what I would say is relief & I am SO grateful. I am so much better now!!"

• Anonymous
• September 26, 2022

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "I wanted to wait and write my review. First off, I want to tell the people who wrote their experiences, thank you. When I started my journey on Lexapro, I would sit in my bed crying, rereading the reviews over and over to comfort me. I thought I was stuck for life. Each morning, I would coach myself to take the pill and get through the day. I experienced anxiety, depression, and terrible intrusive thoughts. I started low and slow at 2.5 mg, now I’m fixing to start 20 mg. It’s a hard journey in the beginning, but stay strong and stick with it. I didn’t think this drug would work, I questioned it so much in the beginning. Thanks to God, my doctors/therapist, my family/friends, and this drug, it will forever change my life. All the comments that tell you to wait it out and to just give it time, I have to say, were true for me. Just remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If not this drug, there are others. Keep fighting, take care."

• Wen...
• September 24, 2020

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "I was on Lexapro for like 4 days and was only taking 5 mg, and it has made me feel so much worse. I’m having worsening depression and worsening anxiety. I’m done taking it and going to flush myself out with lots of water."

• Bet...
• April 30, 2015

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been on Lexapro for a few years. I LOVE IT! Without it, I get depressed and feel a constant sense of dread in the pit of my stomach. I have frequent panic attacks that feel like my heart is going to beat out of my chest, and my mood swings? LEGENDARY. Lexapro saved me. I have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and panic attacks. Those should be enough, but I also had cancer and a miscarriage. So the depression, which has always been a thing, became a major problem. After finally having a child, the mood swings, another something that was always a thing, became horrific. No one could stand me. I've been on Lexapro since about 2010, and I have never felt better. I don't just exist. I live now."

• Tay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 23, 2020

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was on Paxil for 5 years before switching to Lexapro due to unwanted side effects (loss of sex drive, anhedonia, night sweats, and hand tremors). Lexapro has proven to be just as effective as Paxil in controlling my anxiety/panic disorder, with nearly none of the side effects that Paxil caused!"

• Rea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2018

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I was very resistant to the idea of taking meds, but somehow lived with crippling anxiety for over 10 years that affected my friendships, family connections, and ability to have a meaningful relationship. A year ago I tried Prozac and it made me have suicidal thoughts and the startup effects didn't disappear after 8 weeks. Then 3 months ago I bit the bullet and tried Lexapro. Let me tell you that any doctor who says you will be fine after 2 weeks doesn't know what they are talking about. The startup effects are brutal... sickness, increased anxiety, depression. I couldn't leave bed. However, 6-8 weeks later all these effects subsided and now 3 months+ in it's the best I've ever felt. This is a game-changer for someone who has suffered anxiety for over 10 years. Next... dedication towards therapies (recommend ACT, excellent framework to building up resistance to anxiety and minimizing its impact on your life). Stick with it... 6-8 weeks of pain is nothing compared to months, years of feeling great."

• Clj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2020

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "My doctor put me on 10 mg of generic Lexapro probably a year ago. I saw no change in mood, and anxiety attacks continued regularly. Two months ago, she increased my dosage to 20 mg. After about 1 1/2 months, I noticed a horrible decline in my personality. I was sad constantly, anxiety increased, and I had dark thoughts, which included suicidal thoughts. I started cutting, felt an increase in anger where I was throwing things, banging my head on the wall, and began drinking again after 4 1/2 years of sobriety. Taking this dosage is the only thing that has changed in my life, all other stresses are the same. I called my doctor and said I wanted off of this medication completely. She didn’t feel that I had given the new dose enough time. I don’t care. I’m getting off of it, so I am in the process of decreasing the dosage and hope to be off of it completely within 3 months max."

• Ahm...
• December 11, 2018

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been suffering with Severe Pure O OCD (sexual, violent, blasphemous intrusive thoughts, etc.). It had severely impacted almost every single aspect of my life which led me to severe Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Panic Disorder, and Mild Depression. I tried numerous types of Medication, even the BIG ONE - Anafranil. I remained on this medication for several months on a high dosage. It assisted with the OCD (not so much with Anxiety), however, the side effects were utterly terrible, so I decided to give it up. My psychiatrist suggested Lexapro. I began on 5mg and slowly worked my way up to 30mg (currently on this dosage for the last three months). Pros: Anxiety has greatly reduced, very few panic attacks. It hasn't stopped the thoughts, however, they have become much easier to brush off. I am able to think more rationally, and I feel somewhat more hopeful and optimistic. Cons: Constantly tired, extremely sleepy (I could sleep all day if I wanted to). I feel somewhat emotionally numb."

• HeI...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2020

For Anxiety "I held off on the medication for a very long time, even after being diagnosed with anxiety and depression at the age of 12. I am now 24, and after countless attempts at therapy sessions and coming to the realization that it is indeed genetic, I’m here. My doctor prescribed me 5 mg but suggested I start on 2.5 mg. I did so for four days and began to feel really good. I’m talking, like, really good. Besides the drowsiness, I felt focused. My anxiety was subtle. I ended up having a lot of energy. I then started taking 5 mg, and all those good feelings have now diminished. I’m feeling dizzy, nauseous, anxious, heart racing, loss of appetite, and tired. To be honest, I feel a little depressed. I think I may go back to 2.5 mg and hope it takes the same effect as it first did. I’m very sensitive to medication. I will update in a couple more weeks."

• sar...
• May 7, 2020

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Major Depressive Disorder "This medicine is great! It helps so much with my major anxiety and depression. The only reason I didn't give it a full 10 stars is because one time I stopped abruptly, and the side effects were pretty bad. But this isn’t something you should ever do because of physical and mental side effects, and so it was my fault, not the drug. Definitely talk to your doctor before stopping, unlike I did!"

• tae...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 14, 2024

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "This is my second time being on Lexapro. The first time I got on it, it was hard. The first 2 weeks were tough, I had more anxiety and bad depression. I was scared, but after 4 weeks, I felt good. I could go out, I forgot what it felt like. I thought I was cured until I stopped taking it. The withdrawals were bad. I got back on it, but had to start over. I don't know if this is a forever drug, but it saved me. It saved me a lot. I know your anxiety is bad and you just started, hold on. I'm telling you, it will help."

• Lex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2013

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Midlife generalized anxiety disorder. Prescribed Lexapro 5 weeks ago and it's finally working. I feel normal for the 1st time in years. 4 weeks of anxiety and flat emotions. But the flat feeling is normal, not the excessive swings in feelings and mood that often cause great anxiety. Things don't bother me so much now, and the racing thoughts don't cause much problem. Just stop them or write them down and don't feel overwhelmed by things to do. Lexapro is a real lifesaver, just wish I'd been able to try it several years ago, the Bipolar misdiagnosis really caused problems. Anyone thinking about giving up this medicine during the 1st few weeks, stick it out, I did and it's a miracle!"

• 8an...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2024

For Anxiety "I was reading reviews for hope too. That feeling of dread is truly horrendous. That belief that it won't work for you, that you are stuck like this forever - I remember it. The side effects of anxiety and depression did worsen for 4 weeks for me. But at the 4.5 week mark, I started waking up with less adrenaline. My body started to feel calm. It's been a week feeling the benefits now, and, just wow! It's hard to fully believe these reviews, but they are right. The hardest climbs have the best views. Hang in there x"

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 23, 2022

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Anxiety "Want to share my experience, because reading these reviews helped me go through the darkest moments. GAD + insomnia, now on Lexapro 20 mg (started from 10 mg), take it in the morning, cognitive-behavioral therapy, 1.2 months. I finally feel good and sleep without sleeping pills (still waking up several times per night, but I’m able to fall asleep again). So for everyone who just started: it may be better! The first couple of weeks I had diarrhea, headache, fatigue, dizziness, and weeks 2 and 3 drove me insane - I had constant anxiety, fears, panic, painful muscle tension in the whole body, my vision was blurred, I couldn’t focus at all, was restless, couldn’t sleep (sometimes even with pills), had the darkest thoughts, felt hopeless, had to quit my job, couldn’t communicate with people. But week 4 brought me a breath of fresh air, my mind step by step cleared, I’m almost calm and feel more confident that I can manage anxiety, starting to search for a new job soon."

• Kod...
• November 27, 2014

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "I dealt with anxiety and depression for several years. I had high social anxiety and found pleasure in isolation and darkness. I started on one SSRI, but the side effects turned me into another person completely. I experienced emotional, spiritual, and creative numbness, weight gain, and overconfidence. So I got off of it because I wasn't myself anymore. I tapered off of that, and then I got on Lexapro, and it immediately took care of my depressive symptoms and anxiety. I bumped up to 20mg after a couple of months, and I am perfectly back to normal. I feel like myself. No side effects at all! I highly recommend Lexapro. Just be patient and wait it out."

• Mel...
• October 18, 2014

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression "I am an 18-year-old girl and diagnosed with depression. My first week with 10 mg Lexapro is beyond horrible: depression got worse, heart racing, sharpened negative thoughts, and no motivation at all when waking up in the morning. I can't concentrate and feel as if I want to cry most of the time. It lingers till the evening and tapers off toward night. At night, I feel euphoric. No problem with sleeping and weight gain. But since my depression got worse, the doctor decided to double my dose to 20 mg. The second week was even worse: nightmares every night, fatigue, lethargy, gases in the stomach. In the third week, it finally helps! Negative thoughts went away, and I feel lightheaded. Side effects: emotional numbness, sleepiness, laziness. But overall, this medicine is a true miracle."

• Exc...
• January 17, 2020

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on Lexapro for only 2 days. All I do is lay on the couch all day while my kids are at school. The tiredness finally starts wearing off about 3:00 PM, but I take it in the evening, and by the next morning I’m energy-less and tired again until 3:00 PM the next day. The first day I was extremely tired and had a splitting headache all day. Today again super tired, and sad, and depressed still. I am praying this will go away after the first few weeks, but some say the tiredness never goes away on Lexapro. I don’t want to be a zombie, I just don’t want to have panic attacks, excessive worry, which is my GAD, and severe depression anymore. I wish there was a blood test they could do to see which type of antidepressant fits our brain chemistry best so we didn’t have to suffer through all these changes testing different medications on us. My life has literally had no joy right now... none."

• Exc...
• January 17, 2020

Lexapro (escitalopram) for Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on Lexapro for only 2 days. All I do is lay on the couch all day while my kids are at school. The tiredness finally starts wearing off about 3:00 PM, but I take it in the evening, and by the next morning I’m energy-less and tired again until 3:00 PM the next day. The first day I was extremely tired and had a splitting headache all day. Today again super tired, and sad, and depressed still. I am praying this will go away after the first few weeks, but some say the tiredness never goes away on Lexapro. I don’t want to be a zombie, I just don’t want to have panic attacks, excessive worry, which is my GAD, and severe depression anymore. I wish there was a blood test they could do to see which type of antidepressant fits our brain chemistry best so we didn’t have to suffer through all these changes testing different medications on us. My life has literally had no joy right now... none."